Home Made Screwdriver Antenna
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- I wanted a HF screwdriver antenna but the price put me off, so I decided to try and build one myself. After searching for homebuilt ones I found not many video's or instructions appart from some great websites like Scorpion Antennas which I beleave Don Johnson started many years ago.
I took many idea's from different builders so give credit to all on the net
for the details.
Now I actually know why it’s called a screwdriver antenna. Nicely made.
Hi Donal thx for the comment and I always say it's never to late to learn something. Cheers
Nigel, Definitely a really cool build, thanks for sharing. I wish I had an Elmer with your build abilities to guide me building various antennas.
Hello Mike thx for the message glad you like the build it's still going strong and I use it when ever I am out in the van. Building stuff is more trial and error than skill and if it goes wrong you know what not to do next time :) cheers Nigel
Hi Nigel You are quite the craftsman. Looks like a great deal of time went into designing that antenna.
Hello Bod thx for stopping by I can't take credit for the design as I got most of the idea's from Don Johnson (Scorpion Antenna's) but there are a few of my own twists in there lol cheers.
Awesome and creative engineering skills you have!
Hello David thankyou for your kind words and thx for stopping by. Cheers Nigel
@@fixitnige Cool! I thank the people here for given' me the chance to read some positiity!
Great info Nigel. Thanks for showing this. I do however think you need a longer Phillips screwdriver.:D
Hello B well you just have to make do with what you have LOL cheers I forgot to say I do have one twice as long as the one I am using here :)
If turning threads for your coil is not practical or available I use weed eater line in between my wire to insulate and space it as desired you can find a combination of nylon line and wire diameter to accomplish about any spacing.
Hi Tony thanks for stopping by and suggesting a great tip I will use it sometime I am sure.
Cheers Nigel
Thanks for sharing, I have made 4 screwdriver antennas years ago using Don johnson's BOOK(s). Using copper pipe 1 1/4" 1 1/2" and 2" pipe the 1 1/4" was the most difficult to build. Had to use entirely different motor, but all of them do work 10 - 80 meters, yes I used 10 threads per inch on the PVC coil form on all of the antennas. I was able to acquire some very good quality finger stock years ago at HAM FEST from a gentleman who had worked for Collins Radio.. This has performed very well. I have used mainly the 1 1/2" antenna on many different vehicles still using it today. I have used an UNUN for matching and have had less than good results Shunt feeding these antenna. You mentioned your shunt feeding method 8 turns of 2mm enameled wire, what diameter form have you used to make this?
Thanks KD8NV
Hi Randal thx for the message as for the shunt it is 8 turns about of 1 inch in diameter seams to be the best for my application I did try
many other sizes until I found the right size cheers for now.
Thank you have a great day... KD8NV
Great job Nigel. I've learnt a few good ideas from watching this video. I've made a few coils now in which I have created some youtube videos about, but nothing as technical as what you have done here. You have inspired me to go to the next level! Cheers Marty VK4KC
Hello Marty thx so much for the comment, so glad you found the video helpful as it is good to share with others. Maybe we will catchup on air I do like 10mtrs cheers for now :)
haha, This video popped up after watching your vids Marty, After watching Hayden's video of your recent offerings.
Fantastic video. And wow great work on the antenna. Wish i had your expertise lol.
Hi there and thx for your comment and kind words :)
Fantastic design and documentary Nigel. I learned quite a lot and enjoyed watching it. 73, Jamie VK2YCJ
Hi Jamie thx for you kind words I try to make it as if I was telling myself how it works it seams to come out better lol cheers Nigel
Just found your article. Time to dust off the Myford S7B. Excellent video and I may even make a set of drawings. G3YSW
HI nigel glad you liked the video good luck with your build.
You could add a capacitance sleeve over top half of whip to bring frequency down a bit...
Just by using foam double sided tape as a dielectric & then covered with copper tape for the top half of whip.
Hi Crazy Ham thx for the suggestion I may try that.
@@fixitnige Let me know how it goes mate.
Keep the copper tape with no DC continuity to the whip itself.
To slow down the screwdriver cut the voltage below the 6volt it will turn slower and not be so touchy on adjustments
Hi alan thx for the comment, now the antenna is on the mobile it is working fine and no issues tuning cheers.
Hi Nige.. I had to replace the motor in my Taheel2 soo have some pictures of it apart. If you can move the loading coil closer to the feed point you'll need less loading.. the mast section on the tarheel is only about 300mm
Hello chris thx for the info maybe if I try another one I may change a few things :) Cheers.
Good Video! If you can find them, they make set screws with ball bearings and springs built in (for detent's and such) that should work in this design. 73 mike
Hi Mike thx for the info I will try and look for some may come in handy sometime. cheers
nice little build 👍
i can only recommend an H-Bridge and an arduino instead of the manual switch, so you can drive the motor with PWM signal for variable speed, and have all the memory points for different bands with one press of a button. if you want more info on that one, just reply to this comment.
I once done something similar for a satellite dish motor and it worked perfectly :)
Hi thx for the comment I do was to do a memory setup for this I was looking at the MFJ one but it's expensive and I am not a fan of MFJ to be honest, I have never done anything with arduino but always willing to try new things, Thx again.
@fixitnige glad to hear a reply :) well the simple diy would be any kind of sensor that counts how many turns the shaft has made (a rotary encoder if u willing to go fancy, or a simple hall effect sensor and a magnet? then its very simple: sensor->arduino->h-bridge->motor. the arduino simply spins the motor, counts the shaft turns, and stops at the right number of turns. you calculate in advance the desired number for each band by tuning manually with your SWR meter, and the arduino just store those numbers as presets which you can select form. you already know soldering pretty well so this part of the equation is solved you u. anyone with a basic coding skills can help u with the rest. all the parts should be like 20$ or so :)
@@EvgeniX. Thx so much for the reply I will for sure look into this a little more as with most things when you know what your doing it's simply :) cheer again.
@@fixitnige im pretty handy with an arduino. You could do all sorts of things to measure heights, the most simple would be some externally mounted switches to register when the antenna is at each point, then a couple of FINE tune buttons to allow you to send it up and down and get it just right. You could have a rotary encoder and use that to fine tune with relative ease.
congrats on a great looking antenna. Id use some pvc pipe with a blanking cap on the end as the cover
@@spr00sem00se Thx for the comment and the information I am busy with other projects at the moment but will look at this again when I have time and maybe give you a shout cheers.
Nice build keep up the good work. Where'd you get that antenna analyzer from, can't find it nowhere?
73s
KD2OSR
Steve
Hello Steven thx for the comment :) you can still get the analyzer for china and some second hand ones but MFJ now buy them from china in bulk and reprinter them with there logo and 266 and then charge a bloody fortune for them. This is what to look for AW07A Antenna Analyzer.
I'd like to see a closeup picture or two of the bottom of the antenna where the coax connector is going through the mount.I am about to mount a TARHEEL 200HP & I was wondering about the mounting to the TARHEEL bracket since it has no directions.Thanks much & 73.
Hi there I am not to sure what part you mean? and I am not going to take anything apart to take pictures of it surely this video explains more than enough info. Cheers
@@fixitnige you don’t need to take ANYTHING apart.I asked for pictures of the Bottom/Base of the antenna where the Coax connects to the antenna.What part of my statement says anything about taking anything apart? Read it again! Sorry if I confused you but it appears that I did.😳
@@1OFGODSOWN It must be the way I read it but the coax just fits with a standard PL259 using a SO 239 screwed to the bottom of the antenna. cheers
@@fixitnige is there a nylon washer used like on a Hamstick and other antennas under the bottom of the SO-239 that is screwed into the base of the antenna?
@@1OFGODSOWN No it is just a 4 screw fixing to the ali plate that is on the bottom of the tube.
ok you need to get a look at a hi-q 6-160 antenna these antennas just work and work well...they aint cheap but when you look at the man hours you have in your copy of a lesser qaulity design antenna that apparently does not work well on 80 much less than 160....the money spent on a well designed antenna is well spent in this instance ...years ago i had a hi-q 5 160 antenna and it was stolen but i worked 160 ssb mobile from a suzuki samurai for a year or soand had a blast doing it....and i have made antennas for most of my life ...i started with a crystal radio kit i got for christmass at 5-6 years old...
Hello Ray and thx for the comment and information I am always looking for ways to do new mobile antennas so I will look this one up and see what I can do thx again.
I have a screwdriver like that when I don't want to get too close to my work! 😀 73
LOL Hello Bill its my goto screwdriver but I do have an even longer one lol cheers.
@@fixitnige As a mechanic I had a 3-foot #2 flat blade. I definitely didn't want to get too close. ;-)
Well done nigel
Meet you at John's used to live in redditch know fred Ann and Geoff well
Hope you and hazel are staying safe. Well done again bill m0wrs
Hello Bill thx for stopping by Hazel and I are great thx and love being hear in Norfolk. I chat with Fred and John most days on 3.755 around 1-2pm if you are around call in cheers.
@@fixitnige hi nigel thank you for your reply sorry no antenna for 80 mts the for offer I hope to be leaving here soon on be on 10 mts mobile not got a hf rig anymore sold my 7300 a few weeks ago
Anyway stay safe all.
Ps glad you both like north Norfolk
73s to both
Shame you don't have a Switch something like a antenna rotor controller box where as it would stop at specific spots. you could just tag the controller box for the various bands to have it stop automatic. Fantastic Build by the way
Hello frank thx for the comment, I am sure MFJ do a box that holds the memories for bands and stuff but as always its very expensive and this was a budget build anyone could do :) cheers Nigel
Me gusta mucho este proyecto, estoy interesado a empezar con un proyecto similar, gracias por compartir esta experiencia !
Gracias por tu comentario, espero que esto te ayude con tu proyecto
Hi Nigel - what do you estimate the cost of materials for this antenna ? Great Video and a Great Antenna !!!! Mike AA7WI
Hi Mike that's really hard to answer as I had a lot of the parts to hand. I only bought the nylon rod and the little screw driver so to me it was a mater of a few quid.
Sweet job man
Thanks glad you liked it.
Job well done Sir. I need one of these on my truck
Hi Bens thx for the comment hope you get one sorted cheers.
I have a old DK3 I used sc 40 PVC to cover the coils
Good job! Necessity is the mother of invention. 73, Jesse AG5YO
Hello Jesse thx for the message happy new year.
Wicked build, you should sell them 👍
Hi and thx for the comment I have to much to do to devote time to making antenna's :) thx
Interesting video. I was looking for screwdriver antennas and was amazed at the prices I was seeing. So I would be interested in making my own screwdriver for my truck. Do you have an article online that describes the dimensions and what components to get? Thanks for your inspiration - all the best! 73 de KI5HXM
Hi Brent thx for your comment like you I was shocked at the prices so I googled and made up the parts I needed to make it work and it sure does work well. I do say about the size of things in the video so just listen well I am sure you will be able to sort something for yourself.
cheers for now and good luck.
@@fixitnige I will take better notes next time. I like what you said about learning from other designs like the springs and ball bearings. I have also wondered how hard it would be to make an external non-conductive arm to move the sleeve up and down on a manual screwdriver antenna. The best way would be to follow your lead and I would get to learn. Thanks for the reply. All the best!
Excellent Work btw Mate
Thx mate maybe catch you on 10mtrs
Amazing job. This makes me want to shell out the $200 or so for one though lol.
Hi there thx for the comment cheers.
You can't buy any TARHEEL antennas for $200 unless they are Used.
Hi Does you have mor details for the hardware components for the screwdriver (mobile) antennas?
Hi Martin the parts are very easy just a ally tube with a 6v battery screwdriver cut in half , The centre core is a piece of nylon rod which the coil of wire is wrapped round. The video is really all you need all the info you need to be honest. good luck. cheers
Would love to have a back yard shed like your where one can play like this
Hi Grant thx for the comment I have lived in many places but only been able to have such a great shed since moving here 11 years ago. Cheers
Brilliant. But most of us don't have a lathe to make some of the components. You have an email that I can get in contact with you? Cheers.
Hello Juan thank you for your email and message, I don't make a kit for this antenna but I am sure if you go on Facebook and log into a Lathe or machining forum you will find someone local to you that can help you make the parts you need as there are a lot of good people out there ready to help. Cheers for now.
@@fixitnige Ok thank you. I like what you've done. Very well done. Warmest Regards. 73
Well done
Thx aaron
Great job done, sir! 73's de your Friend Uncle Guenter
Hi Guenter glad you like the video cheers :)
@@fixitnige You deserve all the Respect on the entire World for this fabulous great job. And I can imagine this Antenna performs just excellent. Happy sunday to you, sir.
You did a very good job keep up the good work I will be listen and watching God bless K 1emw
Hello Donald thx for your comment cheers Nigel
Nice Work! I think I want one for my QTH.
Hi Bruce thx for the comment A homebase version would be a good idea then you could make it as big as you liked. :)
Thanks' Nigel Love the workshop 73 de G6JMX
Hi Barry thx for the comment hope the video was helpful :)
You're a genius!
Hello Brad thx so much for the praise but I just don't like paying silly money on something I can make :)
27:27
EXACTLY...! And THIS is why the community is having a HUGE problem getting new people into the HAM community hobby.
Because companies put exuberant prices on products that definitely scares away ALL the new comers into the hobby.
I see so many HAM Electronic devices in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars when its suppose to cost $50 or so. These companies are slapping on huge sticker prices on things.
Yesterday I looked into a SWR meter, and everywhere I went they wanted $475 for the damn thing. Then I also looked up Watt Meter to test radios and THEY wanted $460 for the damn thing.
THIS is why new people dont get into the hobby. You need to take out a mortgage just to get into the damn hobby. Its one of the main reasons why Baofeng became so famous.
Think about it. Its a really good price for a 2m / 70cm band radio. Unlike other devices that costs in the thousands. And the community wonders why young people dont get into the hobby.
Hello Twisted I can't agree with you more but this goes for any Hobby! as soon as it becomes a hobby up goes the price. thx for the comment tho cheers.
This is great 👍🏻, do you sell it? I’ll buy one of those!
he there thx for the comment. I am sorry I don't plan on building another one but always here to help if you plan to build your own.
You fixed all screwdriver antena.
Hello Robert, I made this antenna yes :)
1. Nothing to confirm that the maker of the Scorpion has passed away. 2. You may want to slow the motor down a bit more, easier to tune.
Hello Jim yes Don passed away here is an article ( www.scorpionantennas.com/don-johnson-tribute_ep_46-1.html ) The motor does run slower now it's fitted in the van as it only runs on 6volt now Cheers for now.
Just for a idear I would us something like a tumble dryer hose
Hello Andy thx for the idea :)
I want to make one
thanks Nigel great vid 73 HB9ELV
A capacitance hat is supposed to work well on these, and would allow a shorter whip.
Hello Nine I did look into a hat but decided it may look a bit messy for my liking cheers for the comment tho.
what language is this guy trying to speak?
Hi Ghost it's called technical language which is hard to learn :)
Screwdriver Antenna
nice shak pal
Hi Nathan thx for the comment.
Nice design I may just attempt this build once I get a lathe
Well done interesting watch also ( in other words not boring hi hi )
Roy
Hello Roy thx for the message I tried to make it so I would understand it if I was watching :)
FixitNige you did an excellent job of explaining
My qrz page my call kc6nfv check out the home made multi band antenna coil made out of 2 inch pvc pipe wrap with silver wire he use a 68 inch wip on top it had a device that slide up and down for the band check it out your can run over legal limit power
Antenna effectivity = 0.
Well if working Australia and Bermuda while mobile at the same time = 0 I will keep it :) thx
Great video. What was the reason for 10 threads/ inch vs 8 threads per inch?